Media Releases
Waste Not, Want Not - JCU event open to community
Waste Not, Want Not - JCU event open to community
Want to know how to reduce your waste and live more sustainably?
James Cook University is opening its doors on April 11 to hold a Sustainability Symposium and Fair on Friday, April 11.
People can learn about the implications of rising consumerism in China; discover what it’s like to live without spending a cent for six months; how ‘voluntary simplicity’ may soon be made redundant by the need for involuntary simplicity, and how a couple of Townsville businesses are revolutionising urban food production and turning food waste into a valuable product.
The event focuses on Challenging Consumerism: The War on Waste and will look at the environmental and social impacts of the modern-day consumerist culture and how people can change their everyday practices to reduce wastefulness.
JCU’s Adam Connell – Manager, Environment – said the Sustainability Fair would showcase local businesses and organisations that are doing their bit to reduce waste and challenge consumerism, with interactive stalls from 10:30am - 2pm.
“The Fair will feature live music from local outfit Tabi Sari along with a variety of recycled, and creatively upcycled local businesses,” he said.
Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or for better environmental value.
“Attendees can ride the Food Rescue bike to mix and sample a smoothie made from rescued excess fruits or get creative and make a recycled PET bottle flower.”
Mr Connell said attendees would also have the opportunity to view the stomach contents of a whale, or drop into a short workshop on hot and cold composting and worm farming.
“Be sure to catch the upcycled fashion parade and pledge to reduce your plastic bag use. There will also be the chance to discover the amazing work of Tangaroa Blue Foundation, or learn more about what happens to recycling in North Queensland from Townsville City Council.”
The Symposium will host a range of expert local and international speakers, who will look at issues of consumerism and consumption in a series of short talks and a panel discussion, starting from 10am and finishing with the keynote evening public lecture at 6pm, with Professor Kim Humphery from RMIT University.
Speakers include Professor Kim Humphery, author of Excess: Anti Consumerism in the West, The Simplicity Institutes’ Mark A. Burch, author Linda Cockburn (Living the Good Life), and JCU’s Professor Stewart Lockie, Dr Maxine Newlands, Dr Hongbo Liu and Dr Brenda McCarthy.
The symposium will run concurrently on both the Cairns and Townsville campuses and will provide the public with an opportunity to engage with a broad range of waste-related issues.
For media inquires contact:
Adam Connell – Manager, Environment
4781 5060
For inquiries relating to the Sustainability Fair and stallholders, contact:
Sandy McCathie, ecoSAVVY (on behalf of JCU)
0409 294 798
sandy.mccathie@ecosavvy.com.au
JCU Media Liaison: Caroline Kaurila, tel: (07) 4781 4586 or 0437 028 175
Issued: April 1, 2014